Internal or external?

Your department will be paying for the event via an interdepartmental (ID) charge.

External

A non-SPU organization will be paying for the event via check or charge.

Note: This is true even if you, an SPU employee, are a member or officer of the non-SPU organization.

Question: If the external client I’m working with pays my SPU department directly, can my department pay by ID charge and consider the event internal?

No. While this arrangement may seem simpler to you, it opens the University up to possible liability issues.

SPU must comply with strict property tax-exemption and tax-exempt bond compliance regulations. Contracting with external groups is the only way to properly manage the University’s risk and liability exposures. Conference Services has the ability to contract with external groups.

Support for your external event

One of the benefits of being an external group is that Conference Services offers support in every area, and coordinates with all service providers on behalf of the external group.

Contract. Based on availability, Conference Services will create a contract and request necessary documentation (proof of insurance, proof of nonprofit status), as well as security deposit(s).

Event coordinator. The event coordinator will work directly with Conference Services, who will coordinate the event needs with the various SPU service providers, as needed.

Catering

Facilities

Computer and Information Systems

Safety and Security (including parking passes)

Gwinn Commons Dining Hall (meals through the line)

Signage. Any necessary signage (creation, as well as posting and removal around campus) is Conference Services’ responsibility.

Lodging. If your event requires lodging (summer months only), Conference Services will work with you to find the best accommodations, and will work with you from the point of booking rooms through check-in and check-out.

Support for your internal event

Conference Services has limited involvement in the event planning and execution of internal events.

SPU Room Finder. An SPU staff or faculty member will request the space via Room Finder.

Coordination, budgets. An SPU staff or faculty member will work directly with various SPU service providers, as needed. You will need to provide your SPU budget number, as required by:

Catering

Facilities

Computer and Information Systems

Safety and Security (including parking passes)

Signage. Any necessary signage (creation, as well as posting and removal around campus) is an SPU staff or faculty member’s responsibility.

Meals. If you require meals in Gwinn for more than 10 people, you must submit the Dining Hall meal request form. Conference Services will work with you to create meal tickets, coordinate with Dining Hall staff, and charge your departmental budget after-the-fact.

Request for space

Interested in reserving facilities on the SPU campus for your outside group? Here’s your first step:

ADA access?

You’ll find ADA-approved handicapped parking in the Demaray parking lot. Access Gwinn Commons through the Ames Library back entrance, through the Library to Martin Square, and then up the Gwinn Commons elevator to the third floor.